Tunnel lining structure and gauge therefor



Sept. 16, 1952 T, w l 2,610,470

TUNNEL LINING STRUCTURE AND GAUGE THEREFOR 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed March 5, 1947 THOMAS L. WHITE INVENTOR T. L. WHITE TUNNEL LINING STRUCTURE AND GAUGE THEREFOR Filed March 5, 1947 Sept. 1-6, 1952 2 SHEETS-SH ET 2 INVENTO THOMAS L.W

Patented Sept. 16, 1952 i jllli.llTED: -,STATES PATENT OFFICE; .TUNNELLINING STRUCTURE AND GAUGE U .THEREFOR Thomas L. WhitdYoungstown, Ohio, assignor to The CommercialWShearing & Stamping 00., Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application Marcus, 1947, Serial No. 731,955 r 7' Claims. (CI. 6145) cal lining composed of successive courses-of sag-J ments to the desired transverse diameter. v r In boring shield-driven tunnels, the soil adjacent the bore is seriously disturbed from'its nor- Inal condition by the passage of the shield; Until final settlementhas occurred, therefore, there is a resultin tendency to ready movement which may cause distortion of the lining from the desired circular section. This tendency is increased because of thefl impossibility of wholly filling the space between the lining and the bore through which the shield travels, :by pumping fluid concrete through holes in the linin in accordance with the usual practice. The lining'is also subject to slight 'saggingunder its own weight. Attempts have been made to prevent distortion of tunnel linings by pulling the sides together with cables or, in small tunnels, by using vertical jacks. The former'practice is verytrou'blesome and inaccurate and can resist force'in only one direction; The latter isdmpractical because it interferes seriously with freedom of movement along the tunnel adjacent'the working face and also can resist 'fo'rce in one direction only. Furthermore, these tunnels are usually of such size as to re-' quire a platform on which the work of tightening bolts, grouting, caulking, welding or other operations may be performed on the upper portion or the ring by'the workmen. Such a platform requires some substantial support in order to pro vide a safe working floor. v

I have invented a novel gage for holding tunnel linings to the desired transverse diameter and thus accurately maintaining the circular sectional shape thereof. In a preferred embodiment, my gage comprises a head or block having a pair of cooperatin jaws at one end adapted to hook onto aportion of the lining; and a beam'or shank extending from-the other end'of' the head or block and having similar jaws at its end adapted 'to 'hook onto' another portion of thelining substantially diametrically opposite the portion en-, gaged by the jaws on the head. I provide means for adjusting the head and shank toward" and from each other to apply controlled tension, thereby holding the lining precisely to the desired diameter. I employ a substantial number of my improved gages, say approximately forty, for'the usual width of liner segments (2 /2 ft),

. and apply one gage toeach course of segments erected as the bore is extended; I leave the gages in positionuntil the bore has been advanced a suitable distance, say 100 ft., allowing suflicient time for any settlement of the'soil behind the 2 the last course ofsegments erected. The gages are preferably installed in horizontal position'and may serve as beams to support a working-deck of suitable planking laid thereon. A complete understanding of the invention may be gained from the following detailed description and explanation and by reference to the accentpanying drawings illustrating a present preferred embodiment. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a cross section through atunnel lining showing a gage in accordance with my invention installed therein; I

Figure 2 is an elevation of the gage to enlarged scale with one end in central vertical section and a portion broken away;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are transverse sections through the gage taken along the planes ofline's I III- 111, IV-IV and V-V, respectively; and

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing one end of the gage. 7

Referring in detail to the drawings, a tunnel lining indicated generally at 10 comprises two identical arcuate liner plates or segments lfas' sembled end-to-end with a third arcuate liner plate or segment 13 and a key 14 to forma complete ring, a plurality of such rings being disposed side-by-side to form the complete lining. 'The arcuate segments are fabricated from metal plate and structural members. Each ring includes circumferential flanges l5, segment junc-' tion flanges Hi, a circumferential skin plate I! and axially extending flanged cross bars or struts [8, the flanges l5 and skin plate l7 being integrally connected to each other and Welded to the bars I8. The gage-or cross brace of my invention is indicated generally at is. As shown in Figure 1, it engages the cross bars l8 on the horizontal diameter of the cross section ofthe lining.

Referring now more particularly to Figures- 2 through 4 for a detailed description of the gage, it will be observed that the device comprises ahead or block 20 and a beam or shank 2! extending in alinement therewith. The beam in cludes a tube 22 of square section and an exten sion 23 of similar shapetelescoping therein; The tube and extension are provided with holes,'one of which is shown at 24, and a removable lock 1 ing pin 25 whereby the extension may be secured shield. The gagesare' then successively removed from the rear of the line and moved forward to 1 in the desired position relative to the tube. H

A fixed jaw or hook member 26. is secured to the outer end of the extension'23. "The hock member is let into the end of the-extension. The top Wall of the extension is cut away and the sides are notched to receive the jaw. Cheek plates 2;!

are pivoted to the endof the extension on a pin 28. A movable jaw or hook member 29 is {welded between the cheek plates on the opposite side of the central axis of the beam 2| and extension 23 from the other jaw 26. This jaw extends upwardly above the lower edges of the plates. The,

locking pin 30 is adapted to be inserted through alined holes in the cheek plates and extension 23 to hold the movable jaw in closed position as illustrated. When the pin 3!! is pulled out, the jaw 29 opens permitting the ,jaw .26 to be disengaged from the cross bar [8. A spacer ,plate 32 extends between the side walls of the extension above the portion cut away at 3.1.. .It will be apparent that, so long as the jaws '26 and 29 are closed, they are capable of exerting a heavy tension on the cross bar .18 which is transmitted directly -:.to the .ring of the lining .composed of segments II .through 14. Abutment plates 32a and .321; (Figuresl and 6) are secured .to the .respective outer endsof the .headZ-Q and extension 23 toabut the flanged. portion of the .cross bars 18 .held between the corresponding adjacentpair ofjaws in:order to prevent the crossbars .IBircm moving substantially toward each other.

The head or block 2:!) is :Eabricated vfromplate and includes side Wa11s.3.3 and 34 and .a top wall 35. .A fixed .jaw :36 -is let intothe top wall .and welded to the side Walls. Cheek v-platesell-are pivotedtothe side Walls .33 and .34 on apin it. Amovablejawifi is disposed. between and secured to the cheek plates 3! in the same manner :asthe jaw-29is mountedonthe platesfl. Asshownin Figure .1, the jaws .36 and 31 engage .one of the cross bars I-B diametrically opposite that engaged by .the jaws .26 and 29. The law 39 .is held in operative relation with the jaw 36 by.-a removable pin 40 inserted through holes .inthe cheek plates and side walls of the block. .A split sleeve composed of mating upper andlower halves -41 and 4.2 is disposed between the side walls '33 and 3d adjacent the inner end thereof. .The upperlia-lf U of the sleeve is welded to the side walls. The lowerhalfisremovably secured thereto .by bolts 43. The .fixedjawsZfi and 36, and the other jaws 29 :and .39 when inlocked position, are :adapted to .abut the adjacent portions of .the. skin plates H andtooppose :further movement of such portions toward each other if the :skin .plates should becomeiorced against the projecting ends .of the Jaws.

.The .upper and lower halves M and'42 forming I the .split-sleeve'are bored to providea bearingfor a shaft 44. The shaft has .a thrust-sustaining collar or flange 45 engaging the outer end of the sleeve. The other end of the sleeve is threaded as at and .is turned into a nut 4.1 seated in the adjacent end of the tube .22. .A hub -48 .is

mounted .on the shaft between the:head 28 and shank 2| .andis provided with capstan bars 45 whereby the shaft :may be turned'to adjust the headand shank toward-or from eachother. .It is thus zasimple mattertomaintainthe desired distance "between the across bars engaged by the jaws. 25, 29 .and 3B, :39.

.As,.=alr.eady indicated, .I employ .a substantial number of gages to .maintaintthe desiredrhorizontal diameter of the lining courses until the surrounding soil has had an opportunity to settle .or the concrete shell surrounding the lining hasset and attained its full strength. Ordinarily, it will be desirable to use gages on the last 100 .ft. .of the .lining erected As successive courses are erected .at the working :face, gages are taken down Iromthe rear .of thelinebrought forward andset .up in the course last erected. The gages 4 may readily be disconnected and transported through the lining by pulling out the pins 25, .30 40,, 1 after. backing out the iscrew {shaft 44 slightly from .thelnut 41. Thetwo latter pins release the jaws. The removal of pin 25 permits the extension 23 to be telescoped in the tube 22,

facilitating handling of the gage. When transported to the working face, the gage may easily 'bereinstalled by pulling out the extension, insertingthe pin;25, closing the jaws on the cross bars .on the horizontal diameter, inserting the pins3'n and 40 and turning the shaft 44 to draw the sides of the lining inwardly or outwardly to the extent necessary to establish the desired diameter. The overall design of the gage is preferably such that the hub 48 engages nut 41 when the jaws .have been drawn together :sufficientlyto fix the horizontal .diameter .at the correct figure. As indicated in.Figur.e.2, the .fixed jawsiB .and. 3.6 supportthe .gageon the cross .bars .18 while the jaws 29 and .3Bare being .openedand .clcsed.

The gages adjacent the Working .face .are .well adapted .to serve as beams supporting a working flooror deck composed of planks filllaid thereon to facilitate access to the upper portion .of the tunnel lining .and to the workingiace.

It will he .apparentfrom the Ioregoin'g that the invention provides simple yet effective meansfor maintaining the desired lhorizontaldiameter of a tunnel lining against the normal sagdue tothe weight of the segments and the verticaliload-ot the soil above the lining. The extensible tension gagepermits accurate correction ofany depars ture from the proper .lhorizontal diameter. lhe gages are effectivenot only toapplythedesired tension but .also to .resist thrust which insome installations results from lateral. pressure .inexcess of the vertical loadonthe'lining. The gages may be readily .set up, taken down or transported. They are of simple ,yet..sturdy...construetion and maybe made atrelativelysmall-cost. They may be easily manipulated..by unskilled labor and are notsubject to .being damaged very readily even under the severe service conditions encounterediin tunnel excavation. The gages are also of. advantage in supportingplanks adjacent the working face .to .-.aiford .a deck capable of carrying a grout machine .and other apparatus used in tunnel construction.

Although I have illustratedand described but a preferred embodiment .of the :invention, it will be recognized that changes inthe details ofconstruction disclosed may bemade without departing from the spirit of theinventionor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. .A tunnel-liner cross lbrace and gage comprising an elongated body, screw .meanstoadjust the length ofsaid..bo.dy,.a ;pair 01 .eoacting hookedjaws extending .from each of the opposite ends of .the body, .oneof each ;pair.of jaws :being mounted on the bodyiormovementtowardand from thefixed .jaw,.each pair of jaws when closed position being disposed .on opposite sides of the .centraLaXis throughthe body-and tbeing hooked toward said axis, with the fixed jaws on the .same side of the. axis, whereby the fixed jaws areadapted toreston .adl'acentpartsof a tunnellming structure .to support the .brace while rthe movable .jaws .are being :opened and closed, and

. meansfor releasably. holding the. movable'rj aws in erable to draw the parts together to align the structure.

' fixed to the body and the other of each pair of jaws being mounted on the body for movement toward and from the adjacent fixed jaw, each pair of jaws when in -closed position being disposed on opposite sides of the central axis through the body and being hooked toward said axis, with the fixed jaws on the same sideof the axis, whereby the fixed jaws are adapted to rest on adjacent parts of a tunnel-lining structure to support the brace while the movable jaws are being opened and closed, means for releasably holding the movable jaws in closedposition, and abutment means at opposite ends of the body spaced inwardly of and adjacent the hooked portions of the corresponding pair of jaws when the jaws are closed, whereby when the jaws are closed on a pair of spaced flanged parts of a tunnellining structure the said parts are restrained against movement away from each other by the closed jaws and are restrained against movement toward each other by the abutment means.

3. A tunnel-liner cross brace and gage comprising an elongated body, a pair of coacting hooked jaws extending from each of the opposite ends of the body, one of each pair of jaws being mounted on the body forv movement toward and spective portions for receiving a pin to lock the,

two portions of the body together, whereby the brace and gage is readily telescoped for transportation in a tunnel and is readily extended,

clamped on a pair of spaced flanged tunnel-liner parts, and adjusted in length to control the spacing of said tunnel-liner parts.

4. A tunnel-liner cross brace and gage com-.

prising an elongated body adapted to withstand tension and compression, a pair of 'coacting hooked jaws extending from each of the opposite ends of the body, one of each pair of jaws being rigidly fixed to the body and the other of each pair of jaws being mounted on the body for movement toward and from the adjacent fixed jaw, each pair of jaws when in closed position being disposed on opposite sides of the central axis through the body and being hooked toward said axis, with the fixed jaws on the same side of the axis, whereby the fixed jaws are adapted to rest on adjacent parts of a tunnel-lining structure to support the brace while the movable jaws are being opened and closed, means for releasably holding the movable jaws in closed position, and abutment means at opposite ends of the body spaced inwardly of and adjacent the hooked portions of the corresponding pair of jaws when the jaws are closed, said body including screw means to adjust the length of the body with stop means to halt adjustment of the screw means at a predetermined length of the body, and said body being formed in'two major portions axially slidable one within the other with alignable openings through the respective portions for receiving a pin to lock the two portions of the body together, whereby the brace and gage is readily telescoped for transportation in a tunnel and is readily extended, clamped onv a pair of flanged tunnel-liner parts, and adjusted to a predetermined length to control the spacing between said tunnel-liner parts.

5. Lining structure for a generally horizontal, circular tunnel, comprising a substantially cylindrical metal skin extending generally horizontally Within a tunnel bore, a series of spaced structural rings extending circumferentially against the inner surface of the skin, a series of axially extending flanged bars secured to the inner surface of the skin and to the rings, including a pair of such bars between at least a pair of the metal rings disposed at about the level and. on opposite sides of the adjacent portion of the cylindrical axis of the skin, and a cross brace connecting said pairs of bars, said cross brace having releasably locked pairs of jaws at its opposite ends gripping the connected pair of bars and having screw means to extend and contract its length, whereby the cross brace is readily and firmly attachable and is adjustable to control distortion of the skin.

6. Lining structure for a generally horizontal, circular tunnel, comprising a substantially cylindrical metal skin extending generally horizontally within a tunnel bore, a series of spaced" screw means for adjustment of the length of the cross brace while retaining rigidity of the cross brace against transverse bending, which portions each terminate in an integral fixed jaw overlying a flanged portion of one of the pair of bars connected by the cross brace, and which portions each mount a releasably locked jaw gripping the opposite side of the bar engaged by the integral jaw, whereby the cross braces are readily and firmly attachable, are adjustable to correct distortion of the skin, and provide a firm and safe foundation for temporary flooring in the tunnel.

'7. The apparatus of claim 6 with a flooring of planks laid across the cross braces.

' THOMAS L. WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

